Arizona’s time zone can be confusing for many. When someone asks what time zone is Arizona, the answer isn’t as straightforward as with other U.S. states. This is because Arizona handles daylight saving time differently than most states, and parts of Arizona follow different time zones in unique cases. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything about what time zone is Arizona in, including major cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Flagstaff. We will also answer related questions such as is Arizona in the Mountain Time Zone?, what time zone is Phoenix Arizona in, and much more.
Understanding Arizona’s Unique Time Zone Situation
Most states in the U.S. follow either the Eastern, Central, Mountain, or Pacific Time Zones and adjust for daylight saving time (DST). Arizona, however, mostly follows Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round and does not observe daylight saving time. This makes it a bit different than other states and can cause confusion when comparing Arizona’s time with neighboring states like California, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada.
- Arizona is in Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round.
- Arizona does not observe daylight saving time except for the Navajo Nation in the northeastern part of the state.
- Due to this, for part of the year, Arizona time matches Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) used in California.
The question “Arizona is on what time zone right now?” depends on the time of year and which part of Arizona you are referring to.
What Time Zone Is Arizona In? The Basics
Arizona is What Time Zone?
The official time zone for Arizona is Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is UTC-7 hours all year round. Unlike most states, Arizona does not change clocks for daylight saving time.
What Time Zone Is Phoenix Arizona In?
Phoenix, Arizona’s capital and largest city, follows MST (UTC-7) all year round without daylight saving time. So the answer to what time zone is Phoenix Arizona in is straightforward: Phoenix is always on Mountain Standard Time.
What Time Zone Is Tucson Arizona In?
Tucson is also in MST year-round, the same as Phoenix and most of Arizona. The Navajo Nation in the northeast is the exception, which observes daylight saving time.
Is Arizona in Mountain Time Zone or Pacific Time Zone?
This is a common question because Arizona borders California (Pacific Time) and New Mexico (Mountain Time). The answer to is Arizona Mountain Time Zone? is yes, Arizona is officially in Mountain Time.
However, because Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, during the summer months (March to November), Arizona shares the same clock time as Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), which is UTC-7 during DST. This leads to some confusion, especially for travelers and businesses coordinating time across states.
- During standard time (fall/winter), Arizona is one hour ahead of Pacific Time.
- During daylight saving time (spring/summer), Arizona and California have the same clock time even though they are in different time zones.
Arizona and Daylight Saving Time (DST) — The Big Difference
Arizona’s refusal to observe daylight saving time is one of the biggest reasons the question “what time zone is Arizona in right now?” varies depending on the month.
Why Does Arizona Not Observe DST?
Arizona’s climate is one key reason: extending daylight hours in the hot summer evenings would mean more heat and energy consumption. For this reason, Arizona sticks to MST all year.
Navajo Nation Exception
The Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, does observe daylight saving time. This means that:
- The Navajo Nation switches to MDT (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-6) in summer.
- The rest of Arizona stays on MST (UTC-7).
This creates a time zone “island” effect within Arizona.
What Time Zone Is It in Arizona During Different Months?
| Month Range | Arizona Time Zone | Neighboring State Comparison |
| November to March | MST (UTC-7) | One hour ahead of Pacific Time |
| March to November | MST (UTC-7) (No DST) | Same time as Pacific Daylight Time |
This means if you ask “what time zone is Arizona in right now” during summer, it matches California’s time, but in winter it is an hour ahead.
Major Cities in Arizona and Their Time Zones
- Phoenix, Arizona: MST year-round
- Mesa, Arizona: MST year-round
- Tucson, Arizona: MST year-round
- Flagstaff, Arizona: MST year-round (except Navajo Nation areas)
- Scottsdale, Arizona: MST year-round
No major city other than Navajo Nation areas follows DST.
What Is the Time Zone for Phoenix Arizona?
Phoenix operates on Mountain Standard Time throughout the year. The city does not change clocks and remains on UTC-7 no matter the season.
What Time Zone Is Phoenix Arizona Right Now?
It depends on the time of year:
- During standard time months, Phoenix is UTC-7, one hour ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
- During daylight saving months, Phoenix matches Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7).
Is Arizona in Central Time Zone or Pacific Time Zone?
Arizona is not in the Central Time Zone; that zone covers states further east like Texas and Illinois. Also, Arizona is not officially in the Pacific Time Zone, but during daylight saving months, Arizona’s time matches Pacific Daylight Time.
What Time Zone Is Mesa Arizona In?
Mesa, a large city near Phoenix, follows the same rules:
- MST year-round (UTC-7)
- No daylight saving time
This answers the question what time zone is Mesa Arizona in easily.
What Time Zone Is Scottsdale Arizona In?
Scottsdale, another major city in Arizona’s Valley of the Sun, stays on MST year-round with no daylight saving time.
What Time Zone Is Flagstaff Arizona In?
Flagstaff is interesting because it overlaps partly with the Navajo Nation. So:
- Flagstaff city itself is MST year-round.
- Parts of Navajo Nation near Flagstaff observe MDT during daylight saving months.
What Time Is It in Arizona Time Zone Now?
To find the current time in Arizona, consider:
- If today is between November and March, Arizona is one hour ahead of Pacific Time.
- If today is between March and November, Arizona shares the same time as Pacific Daylight Time.
Is Arizona and California on the Same Time Zone?
No, Arizona is in Mountain Standard Time (MST), and California is in Pacific Time Zone. However:
- From March to November, Arizona time matches California’s PDT because Arizona does not switch clocks.
- From November to March, Arizona is one hour ahead.
What Time Zone Is Arizona in November?
In November, Arizona remains on Mountain Standard Time (MST) UTC-7 without switching clocks, while most other states revert from daylight saving time. Therefore, Arizona is one hour ahead of California in November.
Is All of Arizona in the Same Time Zone?
Almost all of Arizona is in MST year-round, except:
- Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time, switching to MDT in summer.
- This means the Navajo Nation is effectively one hour ahead of the rest of Arizona during DST months.
Summary Table of Time Zones in Arizona Cities
| City | Time Zone Type | Observes DST? | Current Offset (UTC) | Notes |
| Phoenix | MST | No | UTC -7 | Year-round MST |
| Mesa | MST | No | UTC -7 | Same as Phoenix |
| Tucson | MST | No | UTC -7 | Year-round MST |
| Flagstaff | MST / Navajo Nation | Navajo observes DST | UTC -7 / UTC -6 | Navajo Nation observes DST |
| Scottsdale | MST | No | UTC -7 | Year-round MST |
Why Knowing Arizona’s Time Zone Matters
Arizona’s time zone quirks can impact many areas:
- Travelers must be aware to avoid missing flights or appointments.
- Business communications between Arizona and other states must consider the time difference, especially during daylight saving months.
- Technology and software that rely on time zone settings need to handle Arizona’s exceptions correctly.
- Broadcast schedules and event timings also depend on knowing what time zone Arizona is in.
Conclusion
To sum up the question what time zone is Arizona in:
Arizona is primarily in the Mountain Standard Time (MST) zone year-round at UTC-7. The state does not observe daylight saving time except for the Navajo Nation. This means Arizona’s time matches Pacific Daylight Time in summer months but is an hour ahead during winter. Cities like Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, and Scottsdale remain on MST without any changes. Understanding this unique arrangement helps avoid confusion in scheduling and daily life.
Arizona’s distinct approach to timekeeping reflects practical considerations and regional differences, making it a fascinating example of U.S. time zone diversity.
FAQs About Arizona Time Zone
Q1: What time zone is Arizona in right now?
Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time (MST), UTC-7, all year round, except for Navajo Nation which observes daylight saving time.
Q2: Is Arizona in the Mountain Time Zone?
Yes, Arizona is officially in the Mountain Time Zone but does not observe daylight saving time.
Q3: Does Phoenix Arizona observe daylight saving time?
No, Phoenix stays on Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round without changing clocks.
